Little Staughton Parish Council

Your Councillors,

Chairman;

Anthony F Moss                     Louise King                               Paul S Atkinson                             Judith D Llewellyn
Hill House                              Foxhaven                                  Claydon                                        2 The Claypits
Spring Hill                             1a Gray’s Grove                       Spring Hill                                      Top End
MK44 2BS                               MK44 2BT                                   MK44 2BS                                       MK44 2BX
01234 376970                         01234 376959                              01234 376607                                  01234 376534
affmo@btinternet.com           airedales@talktalk.net            paul.atkinson@tarmac.co.uk        mossandjudy@hotmail.com

Ian G Harris                          H Martin Banks                         Mary S Jordan                                Clerk: Marion J Davies
Rectory Farm                        Wyndham                                 9 Gray’s Grove                                01234 376713
MK44 2TA                              Spring Hill                                 MK44 2BT                                        
01234 376757                         MK44 2BS                                  01234 376383
Ian@aitop.plus.com             01234 376515                            maryjordan@talktalk.net                 marion.j.davies@btinternet.com
 

Minutes of the last parish council meeting,

MINUTES of the MEETING of LITTLE STAUGHTON PARISH COUNCIL held in the VILLAGE HALL on 18 MARCH 2008 at 7.30pm

Present: Chairman A F Moss

Councillor I G Harris

Councillor M S Jordan

Councillor L King

Councillor J D Llewellyn

Mrs M J Davies (Clerk)

One member of the public

1) APOLOGIES: Councillors P S Atkinson and H M Banks

2) MINUTES

The previously circulated minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 19 February 2008 were approved by the Council and signed by the Chairman.

3) DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS

Agenda item 7(i) Planning Application No: 08/00380/HDG - Councillor Harris declared a personal and prejudicial interest as a neighbouring landowner and following the opendiscussion session, left the room.

4) MATTERS ARISING

a) Registering of Gray’s Grove Green and the Playing Field as Village Greens - The forms still await completion of the Statutory Declarations.

b) Councillor Liaison Meeting: 25 February - Attended by the Chairman who has circulated a full report to all councillors. Areas discussed included: Highways Parish Partnership Scheme, Speed Limit Review, Policing, Bedford Hospital, Dart Bus Service.

The Chairman reported that the Dart Bus service is likely to be replaced with a ‘new’ 153 service. Flexible ‘pick up points’ will be considered provided they are registered with the Transport Commissioners. The Chairman asked that consideration be given to where the stops should be, to be of most benefit to users . April Agenda Item.

c) Litter Pick: 1 March - An excellent turn out: 25+ people including children; 42 sacks of rubbish collected, plus bicycle, tyres, etc.

d) Playing Field Working Party: 8 March - Trees and shrubs planted but the inclement weather only allowed part of the sheltered front of the pavilion to be stained.

e) Travellers’ Site, Staploe - The Planning Inspectorate has confirmed that a valid appeal has been lodged against the Enforcement Notice served by the Borough Council.

5) HIGHWAY MATTERS

a) Speed Limit Review: Jon Shortland has turned down the Parish Council’s request to bring forward the speed limit review, explaining that villages with ‘A’ and ‘B’ roads are being given priority. Villages on minor roads will then be reviewed on an area-by-area basis. Area ‘North 2’ has been scheduled third and will be reviewed in year two (2009/10).

b) Damaged Festival of Britain Sign - Still awaiting repair. The delay is due to trying to source the template for the very old ‘Best Kept Village’ sticker.

c) Repairs programmed for April: (i) Patch Gray’s Grove footway; (ii) Haunch road edge near Rectory Farm; (iii) Replace reflective posts on the sharp bend on the Great Staughton road; (iv) Patching at the 30mph limit outside 55 Green End.

d) ‘The Dip’, Colmworth Road - Pictures of the breaking up area have been forwarded to the contractor who will be undertaking a site visit with the Structural Maintenance Steward. The Parish Council is to be kept updated.

e) Highways Representative Scheme Training Session: 11.03.08 - Attended by Councillor Banks and the Clerk.

f) Enhanced Parish Partnership Scheme 2008/9 - Little Staughton’s allocation has increased from £3000 to £6000 and is to be used for ‘improvements and repairs to local footpaths and carriageways (and any necessary associated works)’. Requests deadline:

1 June. April Agenda Item.

g) Speed Data Collection Device - A sample sheet of the data produced was circulated. April Agenda Item.

h) Surface Treatments - Councillor Jordan spoke about the problem of slippery road surfaces in Suffolk highlighted on a recent Look East programme. The Clerk will enquire whether Bedfordshire Highways uses the same material.

i) Kangaroo Crossroads Sign - Councillor Harris reminded the Council that it had agreed to consider using Parish Partnership Scheme monies to fund a new crossroads sign. April Agenda Item.

6) FINANCE MATTERS

Current Account Savings Account

a) Bank Balances at 29.02.08: £1863.94 £928.29

b) Income Received:

Grant: Community Leader’s Fund £1749.24

Newsletter Sponsorship: 100.00

Donation: Youth Club (for Playing Field) 106.00

Gross Credit Interest: £2.15

c) Authorised Payments

£475.00 - Marion Davies - Clerk’s Salary: Dec/Jan/Feb 2008

33.90 - Marion Davies - Reimbursement: Paper £28.14; Stamps £5.76

d) Insurance

The Cricket Club has requested that insurance for cricket club equipment kept in the pavilion be added to the Parish Council policy. The Club would reimburse the Parish Council for the relevant premium payment. The current premium payment per £1000

of equipment would be £13.33. Councillor Llewellyn does not think the Parish Council should be involved with the insurance of items owned by any club that is run by residents.

April Agenda Item.

e) Tom Wootton’s Community Leader’s Fund 2007/2008

A grant has been received for £1749.24 which will be used to purchase a ‘TidyBear’ Novelty Litter Bin (and fixing kit) from Glasdon UK Limited (£207.72), two dog waste bins to be located at Gray’s Grove Green and Top End (2@£78.26 = £156.52), with the remainder going towards funding fencing around the young children’s play area.

f) Grass Verge Cutting - Information copied to councillors, discussion deferred:

April Agenda Item

i) County Council contribution for grass cutting during 2008 - £1015.51

ii) Quotations received:

Rate Per Cut Hourly Rate (for extra work)

Alan Summerfield £314.00 £25.00

A I Topham & Son (1) £218.00 £18.00

A I Topham & Son (2) £250.00 £18.00

A R Worboys Ltd £180.00 £30.00

Notes: A I Topham & Son: Quote (1) includes spraying once during the season

Quote (2) includes strimming with each cut

A I Topham & Son reserves the right to charge a fuel surcharge at the end of the

2008 season ‘if fuel costs continue to rise at the current unpredictable levels’.

g) VAT Refund: 01.10.07-29.02.08 - Application submitted (£515.17).

7) PLANNING

a) Planning Briefing: No. 148 - East of England Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS14) - single issue review of Gypsy and Traveller pitch provision.

b) Housing Briefing: No. 13 - Affordable Homes: Bedford Borough captures new investment of £25m

c) Allocations and Designation Development Plan Document:

Workshop 27 February 2008. Attended by the Chairman who reported that preparation of the Plan will give an opportunity for Parish Councils to identify possible sites for affordable housing to meet local needs; there will also be a review of village Settlement Policy Areas.

d) Application No: 07/03298/FUL - Mr & Mrs Carl Syvertsen, 4 Gray’s Grove. Single storey front and side extension and part single/ part two storey rear extension. Planning Permission Granted. Decision notice reissued with the correct names.

e) Application No: 07/03351/FUL - Mr & Mrs Carl Syvertsen, 4 Gray’s Grove. Erection of detached garage in rear garden with attic workshop above. Planning Permission Granted. A letter from the Planning Officer had been circulated explaining how the decision had been reached.

f) Application No: 07/02701/FUL - Amended Plans - Deringer Developments Ltd, Land adj Green Acres, Colmworth Road. Erection of two houses and associated garage and formation of new vehicular access. Planning Permission Granted.

g) Application No: 08/00256/FUL - Miss Worley, Green Acres, Colmworth Road. Extension to side with loft conversion, roof dormers to front and roof lights to side and rear. (Revised scheme adding rear roof lights, ensuite roof light and alterations). Planning Permission Granted.

h) Application No: 08/00056/FUL - Highlands, Church Lane. Erection of one three- bedroom house and two four-bedroom houses, including all associated works, following the demolition of the existing bungalow. No decision has been reached to date and it is the Planning Officer’s intention that the application goes to Committee on 7 April.

i) Application No: 08/00396/FUL - Elm Trees, Green End. Single storey side extension to bungalow and construction of new access. Application Supported subject to the Highways Authority being satisfied with the safety aspect of the new access.

 

j) Application No: 08/00380/HDG - New Farm, Great Staughton Road. Remove 150m of hedgerow to south of farmhouse to improve agricultural management. Having previously declared a prejudicial interest, Councillor Harris left the room after the discussion stage to allow the Council to reach a decision on its response. With a lack of supporting evidence, the Council felt unable to support or oppose the application. It would like assurance that there is good reason for removing the hedgerow, both from an agricultural and an environmental point of view and asked that the Planning Office undertake a full investigation or refer the matter to the Planning Committee.

8) DATE OF NEXT MEETING - 15 April 2008.

Meeting Closed 8.10pm